The nurse and the handmade mask, with hair ties

Joanne Giannino

April 5, 2020

Joanne Giannino

 
The nurse and the handmade mask, with hair ties
April 5, 2020

She made this for him:
my son, an EMT
transferring her patient
from the nursing home
to the ER.

As he left
with his new patient
carefully covered
and strapped in
for safety
on his stretcher,

She pushed the mask
handmade with hair ties
into his pocket.

Like an auntie
stuffs a five-dollar bill
in your pocket
before you leave for home
so you can get yourself
a little something,

Or a grandmother
insists you take
the leftovers
when you go.

Love in a fiver
your heart in
a casserole
to reheat later.

She said,
“Take care.”